Owen Coyle has declared himself ready for a quick return to management, while expressing an interest in the vacant Scotland job.

The 46-year-old says he has rejected advances from clubs in England and abroad since parting company with Bolton last month.

However, despite being out of work only a matter of weeks, Coyle is eager to be a boss again - but only if the right position comes along.

And, having quickly emerged as a potential successor to Craig Levein, he has indicated he would be open to an approach from the Scottish Football Association.

Coyle said: "Anybody who loves football loves to be involved and that won't change.

"I'm as enthusiastic and ready to go as I've always been.

"During those six weeks, I've been very fortunate and I've had a couple of approaches from clubs in England and further afield.

"But I just didn't think any of those were the right thing for me at this given time.

"I'm ready to go, I love football. It's fair to say, when the phone rings and it's the right thing, I'm fit and available."

He added: "There is no doubt that the Scotland job is a terrific job for the right candidate.

"If they (the SFA) felt that I was one of those candidates and they wanted to speak, then, of course, I'm quite happy to listen and see what people think - how they want to progress and what they think of yourself and what you can bring to that job.

"I've worked as hard as a manager as I did as a player and maximised everything I had. Whatever I enter into, I go in giving everything I've got.

"If people felt you were worth speaking to about their club or national job or whatever it is, then I would be flattered if that came to be."

Gordon Strachan remains the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Levein, who was sacked on November 5 following a poor start to the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Coyle said: "What I would say, and I've got to give balance to it, is that I think Scotland are very fortunate that they do have many outstanding candidates capable, I think, of ultimately qualifying for major competitions.

"All in all, I think they're a young, dynamic group and they can get better. It's certainly a terrific job for someone, that's for sure."

Coyle was speaking at a Tesco Bank Football Challenge event in Glasgow, where it was revealed that 50,000 children are now involved in the programme.